Hundreds of women from across the UK are taking part in a hiking challenge this April which stretches the length of the UK from Lands End to John O’Groats.
The event, organised by women’s group Love Her Wild, will see ladies from across the nation carry the baton as it passes through England, Wales and Scotland covering 2,028km and taking a total of 74 days to complete. It will pass through Yorkshire between the 3rd to 11th May and Cumbria on the 13th and 14th May.
As well as celebrating women getting outdoors, the relay will raise awareness of the importance of protecting the UK’s wild spaces. All money raised from the relay will go to support the UK based conservation work carried out by the Woodland Trust, which has over 1,200 woods across the country which are free to explore.
Women of all ages and abilities are invited to join the hike and can sign up to participate for one or multiple days.
Organiser, Bex Band, who founded Love Her Wild in 2017 after seeing a lack of women accessing the outdoors and adventure, said: “By putting together this team relay, we hope to encourage more women across the UK to get outdoors exploring our country’s incredible wild spaces.
“Adventures are all about building confidence, forging new friendships and helping women realise their true potential.”
Three sisters Sharon, Aimee and Tamsin who are all joining the relay in memory of their dad after losing him to an unexpected heart attack last year, said, “When we all read about the relay, we all thought the same – let’s do it for Dad!
“Learning that this relay of women coming together followed the Cornish coastal path that our Dad has walked so much of, we wanted to follow in his footsteps and use the time to reflect all together.”
Since launching, Lover Her Wild has grown to a community of more than 9,000 members, connecting women in the UK and organising expeditions all over the world.
Faye Rollinson, Lead Marketing Manager at the Woodland Trust said, “We really value each of our fundraisers who so generously give their time and effort to help raise money for the Trust. The money raised helps us towards our aim of achieving a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.
“They give us so much support which enables us to protect, restore and plant native trees and woods. The contribution made by fundraisers should not be underestimated. They are passionate and hardworking and their efforts make such a big difference.”
The Women’s End2End Relay is going to be Love Her Wild’s most ambitious team adventure yet, launching on April 1st and finishing 74 days later on the 13th June.
The baton being taken on the route will be carved from a piece of birch wood and a competition will be running for girls across the UK to design the baton.
Participant Seanna Fallon, said, “I’m so excited to sign up to the Love Her Wild Women’s End to End relay, because I just know how special it will be. I’ve struggled with my mental health for a long time, and the Love Her Wild community has been a huge help in my healing, allowing me to live my values and connect with what’s important to me.”
